The Right to Cross-Dress
Submitted by Karen on Wed, 11/25/2009 - 12:30
Last month, Morehouse College instated a dress-code policy that prohibits students from “dress-wearing.” The ban is part of what the all-male college in Atlanta, Georgia calls its “Appropriate Attire Policy.” Though the policy also bans wearing hats in buildings, pajamas in public, sunglasses in class, do-rags, saggy pants, and walking barefoot on campus, it is the ban on cross-dressing that has gotten nationwide attention.
The vice president of Student Services, Dr. William Bynum, admits that the policy is aimed at “five students who are living a gay lifestyle that is leading them to dress a way we do not expect” and that, before the policy was released, he met with Morehouse Safe Space—the campus’ gay club. 24 out of the 27 club members who attended voted in favor of the policy. There has mostly been a positive response from the 2,700-member student body, although parts of the policy have been criticized, such as the parts that deny students from wearing certain clothing outside of the classroom. With graduates such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Bynum adds that the policy stems from the college’s wish to uphold a certain image of itself and its legacy.
Although I understand the reasoning behind Morehouse’s implementation of such policies, I can already foresee some problems. For instance, some of the students have been dressing “inappropriately” for several years already, so why is the administration only bringing it up now? I agree with Devon Watson, a Morehouse student, who says that he thinks the policy would cause “a lot of resentment and backlash” and that it “infringes on the student’s freedom of expression.” Moreover, the college prides itself in the fact that Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of its graduates—how would Dr. King feel if he knew that his alma mater is now active in another type of discrimination? How are we supposed to progress as a society if “respectable” institutions such as Morehouse continue to contribute to the stigma associated with alternate gender expression?
Bynum doesn’t seem to think that the policy is a big deal since it only affects a small portion of the college population. How is this supposed to make those five guys feel? If I were one of them, I would probably be thinking, “Man, I already pay exorbitant fees at this institution, can’t they just let me wear these heels and my favorite dress?” Let’s not forget that the college is also restricting the rest of the student population with parts of the policy, controlling what is worn outside of the classroom. A college like Morehouse should focus on education despite challenges one might face in society, not pose a challenge in itself.
Attention Morehouse boys, if it were up to me (meaning, if I were a boy—no, not like the Beyonce song), I’d go somewhere where they would let me be. If I decide to study at the library in my pajamas or wear make-up in class, then sobeit. Leave me alone. Higher education should promote progression and not regression.
It's a little sad. With such a great, respectable legacy, I expected “more” from you, Morehouse.
-Karen is a blogger for The Daily Vine. Check out her bio to see where her view comes from.
Sources/Related Links
Male College Bans Cross-Dressing, AOL News
All-male College Cracks Down on Cross-Dressing, CNN
- Karen's blog
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Comments
Cross-dressing at Morehouse
This is one element of the African-American society in which it turns on its own. In addition, Vallejo mayor Osby Davis is drawing fire this week for a remark construed as "homosexuality is a sin and gays aren't going to heaven." Qualitatively, the Morehouse policy puts it in a similar league as fundamentalist Bob Jones University in South Carolina, which for a long time did not admit students who were overweight, handicapped, or otherwise deemed detracting to the school's image of clean-scrubbed white students who looked good on the recruiting pamphlets. God also apparently favored such students. BTW, you've got a nice writing style, Karen. I like reading your blogs.
Where do you draw the line?
Moorehouse is a private institution and as such, does not have to adhere to the same diversity standards as a state or federally funded instituion. They are free to persue whatever they deem necessary. However, I do feel that the creation of a dress code which was targeted at five individuals is excessive at worst. I can understand some elements, but why also add cross dressing to the list? I don't see gang members shooting each other for wearing Leboutan heels in Alexander McQueen gang territory. In short; I have a feeling that this is institutionalized Homophobia rearing its ugly head.
On another note, the wife of Martin Luther King Jr., Corretta Scott King, was a avaid champion of LGBT rights and alluded to the fact that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" when asked why she took the stance that she did. Traditionally, the African-American community does not look too kindly upon homosexuals, especially those of thier own race.